Gamervision writes:
''Before I hear any complaints, I already know what you're going to say. "Psychonauts for Throwback Thursday? Didn't that game just come out?" Trust me, I am well aware that Psychonauts is only a little over three years old. However, I only recently picked this one up for the first time, for reasons I can't even fathom. Part of the problem was that when this game came out, I was just out of college, only working part time at GameStop, and completely dirt poor. I could barely afford to eat at the time, let alone buy video games. So even though it's a little blasphemous for me to be this late to the party on a Tim Schafer title, that's just the way it worked out. That being said, I've spent a lot of time playing Psychonauts and felt that it was worth sharing with everyone. Also, as a definitively last-gen title, it does fit the Throwback bill-even if it is relatively new compared to many of the other games I review.
As I mentioned, Psychonauts was developed by the legendary Tim Schafer, whose name has become synonymous with unique video game experiences. A platforming action/adventure game, Psychonauts is set at a summer camp/government facility for young psychics trying to hone their abilities. The game's protagonist, the young Raz, has run away from home and broken into the camp to become a Psychonaut, but must do so before his psychic-hating father arrives to take him home. While earning his merit badges, however, Raz realizes that some of his fellow campers have had their brains removed, and must figure out why it's happening and how to get the missing brains back.
Most of the game consists of elements that are fairly recognizable in 3D platformers. In addition to running around and exploring different environments, there are a lot of different items to collect in order to get more psychic powers and merit badges, as well as to buy things from the camp store. The environments are fairly large and varied, which is really nice, especially from a last-gen game. The campground itself almost seems overwhelming at first, and as if that wasn't enough to explore, every person's mind offers an entirely different setting to play through.''
